Signal for dictating machines



mse wl F. L. F'QX SIGNAL FOR DICTATING MACHINES March 31,, 1936,

Filed Sept. 18, 1951 3 Sheets-$heet 1 Rep/m ova/Ive March 31, 1%& F. L. FQX ZKDESJH SIGNAL FOR DICTATING MACHINES Filed Sept. 18, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

F. L. FQX

SIGNAL FOR DICTATING MACHINES March 3L Filed Sept. 18, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 fied fr/z/ l.f0ac

1N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 31, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGNAL FOR DIGTATING MACHINES Application September 18, 1931, Serial No. 563,633

12 Claims.

This invention relates to phonographs and has particular reference to a machine commonly known as a dictating machine, and constructed to both record and reproduce dictation.

Machines of this character embody a unit adapted to be adjusted to a neutral, recording or reproducing position, and it is not infrequent for an operator, after adjusting the unit to either a neutral or reproducing position, to resume dictation without first returning the unit to its recording position. Consequently under such such circumstances much time of the operator is wasted, and as it is a matter of common occurrence it is the source of great annoyance and inconvenience to the operator. The failure to return the unit from either of the above mentioned positions to a recording position is in most instances due to the fact that the operator has his mind concentrated on the subject matter of dictation and inadvertently overlooks this important act, or while the machine is in either a neutral or reproducing position the operator is momentarily interrupted in his work for various reasons, and resumes dictation without adjusting the unit to its recording position.

It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a means whereby when the machine is in either a neutral or reproducing position, the operator will be positively and impressively informed of such fact, and thereby saved the annoyance and inconvenience for the reasons above stated.

One of the important objects of the invention resides in mounting a signal on the mouthpiece of the speaking tube of the machine in such location that when the machine is in either a neutral or reproducing position, and an attempt made to use the speaking tube, the signal will be actuated while held in close proximity to the face of the operator, and thereby inform him of the necessity of adjusting the machine to its recording position.

In carrying out my invention, I contemplate a structure that can be associated with machines in present day use as an attachment, or incorporated in the machine as a part thereof.

More specifically stated, the invention comprehends the provision of a signal included in a normally open circuit controlled by some appropriate movable part of the machine but only closed to operate the signal when the machine is in either a neutral or reproducing position.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detail description is read connection with .the

accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a dictating machine showing one embodiment of the invention associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the switch controlled by the position of the recording and reproducing unit of the machine.

Figure 4 is a detail view.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the speaking tube circuit closer controlled thereby.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of the speaking tube showing the signal in section and mounted on the tube.

Figure 7 is a similar view of the speaking tube partly in section and showing how the signal can be built within the tube.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view.

Figure 9 is a similar view of a modified construction.

Figure 10 is a similar view of another modified construction.

Figure 11 is a similar view of a still further modified construction.

Before entering into a detail description of what is herein illustrated, I desire to have it known, that the essence of my invention resides in the provision of a signal arranged in a normally open circuit which is controlled by some appropriate part of the machine to operate the signal, but only when the recording and reproducing unit is in either a neutral or reproducing position, and that what is disclosed is merely illustrative of the principles involved, and that such principles may be carried into effect in other ways without departing from the inventive idea.

In Figures 1 to 6 inclusive I have illustrated one embodiment of the invention in the nature of an attachment for machines of the character mentioned now in use, while other views illustrate how the invention can be built into the machine as part thereof.

In the drawings A indicates generally a dictating machine of well known construction adapted to have its recording and reproducing unit 10 adjusted to occupy either a neutral, recording or reproducing position. For this purpose the unit 10 is provided with a control element, herein shown as a pivoted lever indicated at II. Figure cure the signal in place.

such clutch control mechanism being similar in construction to that disclosed in U. S. Patent No.

1,380,486, granted June 7, 192'l'in the name of 'S. G. Langley and being operative in the manner disclosed in such patent to control a conventional form of clutch (not shown) interposed'between the driving motor or operating means of the dictating machine A and the driven means thereof comprising the mandrel I2 and feed screw I3, to effect the operative connection and disconnection of said driving and driven-means and therevby the starting and stopping of the mandrel.

In this particular instance this means is in the nature of a switch C. This construction is part of a Well known make of a dictating machine and forms no part, per se, of the present invention. Furthermore the invention while illustrated and described in connection with a machine of the above indicated character, can be used with the same advantages with other types of analogous machines, and its general application is contemplated by the claims.

When the invention is used as an attachment for machines in present day use, the signal is mounted on the exterior of the mouthpiece as illustrated in Figure 1. While the signal may be of any suitable or desired character, it is preferably a visible signal in the nature of a miniature electric lamp. The lamp casing I8 may vary in size and shape and be supported on the mouthpiece vin any suitable manner. It is preferably provided with apertured ears I9 through which suitable fastening elements 20 are passed to se- The casing accommodates an electric light bulb 2I, and manifestly when the signal is operated its position on the mouthpiece is such that it can be readily seen by the operator. In this embidement of the invention the signal can only be operated when the control element II of the recording and reproducing unit is in either a neutral or reproducing position, and then only when the manually controlled switch C is actuated to operate the clutch mechanism of the machine. In view of this fact the signal cannot be kept lighted or operated unnecessarily, as the switch C isonly operated when the mouthpiece I5 is held directly in front of the face of the user, and the signal when called into use both positively and impressively warns the operator of the necessity of adjusting the unit I0 to its recording position. This is a distinct advantage over an audible signal arbitrarily located on some part of the machine, as an audible signal may not be heard by a partially deaf operator, or the mind of the operator may be so concentrated on the subject matter which he is about to dictate, that he may not hear the signal, or if he does hear it he may inadvertently fail to realize the meaning or purpose of the same. This is especially true of an intermittently operated audible signal. The .audiblesignal is especially objectionable. when the speaking tube is held adjacent the ear of the operator with the machine in reproducing position, as the sound of thesignal Whether continuous or from the contact igagement with the roller 4| intermittent is very annoying, and frequently causes the operator to lose some important part of the previous dictation to which he is listening. These objections are all eliminated by the present invention, which embodies a visible signal whose operation is unattended by any noise to distract the operator. The signal lamp is arranged in a normally open circuit the source of which is indicated at '22, and may'as' an attachment be in the nature "of a battery D clamped to some appropriate part of the machine. Arranged in this circuit is a circuit closer preferably of the type illlustrated-in Figure 5 and controlled by the movable cover 23 of the manually operated switch C. 'I'his'circuit closer embodies a casing 24 suitably secured to the speaking tube, and in which is arranged normally spaced contacts 25. Carried by the movable cover 23 is an arm 26 projecting within the casing 24 through a slot therein, and having an ofiset extremity 21 which supports a cam-like projection 28. When the cover 23- is depressed in the usual manner to operate the switch C and thereby throw the clutch .post 32 of this switch is a wire 33 which is connected to the other side of the battery D. These wires are secured in any suitable manner to the speaking tube, but may be arranged within the speaking tube and thus concealed from view.

The switch S under the control of the lever I I includes a pair of contacts 34 and 35 supported by an insulated plate 36. The contact 35 is of a resilient nature and normally spaced from the contact- 34. is a spring pressed plunger 31 which operates in a suitable guide 38 in which is also located the Arranged adjacent these contacts spring 39. The plunger is provided with an offset extremity 40 which supports a roller 4| in the path of movement of the lever I I. As shown in Figure 3, when the lever I l is in either a neutral or reproducing position, it contacts the roller 4| and thereby shifts the plunger 31 within its guide against the tension of the spring 39, to occupy a position whereby the contacts 34 and 35 will be held in engagement with each other. For

this purpose the contact 35 is providedwith a cam-like extension 42 which is engaged "by .the

plunger 3'! to hold the contact 35 in contacting engagement with the contact 34. However, when the lever I I is shifted to a recording position,

the plunger is released therefrom, and the plunger is shifted by the spring 39 to a position whereby the contact 35 is free to move away 34. For this purpose the plunger is provided with a reduced portion 43 which allows the cam-like extension 42 to enter the guide 38 through a slot provided therein. This switch in its entirety is mounted on the machine directly behind the recording and reproducing unit I3, and moves therewith. The guide 38 is provided with a'guard extension 38' to prevent lifting of the offset extremity 40 of the plunger '37 when the lever II is shifted to its neutral or reproducing position, and into ento actuate the plunger.

' The operation of the invention thus far described is as follows:

. The machine is of course used in the ordinary and well known manner, for dictation with the switch S including the contacts 34 and 35 normally spaced apart. When, however, the lever l i is shifted to either its neutral or reproducing position as illustrated in Figure 1, the plunger 3'! is operated in the manner above described to close the switch S by moving the contact 35 into engagement with the contact 34. This switch is thus operated to include the signal in the circuit with the switch, but the signal is not operated until use is made of the speaking tube. More specifically stated, when the speaking tube is arranged before the face of the operator and the cover 23 of the switch S is depressed in the usual manner to throw the clutch mechanism of the machine into operation, the circuit closer including thecontacts 25 is operated thereby completing the circuit to the signal. Manifestly with the speaking tube now arranged directly in front of the face of the operator, the signal when actuated both positively and impressively informs the operator of the necessity of adjusting the unit In to its recording position.

In Figure '7 I have illustrated a slightly modified construction of the speaking tube, the mouthpiece l5 of which is constructed to accommodate the signal 41 with the latter arranged within the mouthpiece, in contradistinction to the structure illustrated in Figure 6. This construction is employed when the invention is built into the machine as apart thereof, utilizing the circuit of the machine to control the signal 41, in contradistinction to an auxiliary circuit when the invention is associated with the machine as an attachment therefor. In this form of the invention an auxiliary contact 48 is normally spaced from the usual spring 48 utilized to hold the cover 23 in its extended position. Manifestly the signal 41 is only operated when the cover 23 of the switch S is depressed to cause the contact 48 to engage the spring 48'.

I have illustrated in Figure 9 a diagrammatic view of a modified form of the invention, wherein the main circuit for the machine includes the signal 5|. This circuit also includes the motor M for driving the machine and a motor switch indicated generally at 52. This motor switch comprises a hook-like contact 53 which is utilized as a support for the speaking tube when the machine is not in use. Obviously when the speaking tube is supported by the hook-like contact 53, the motor switch and the circuit including the signal is opened. In this form of the invention the control element or lever H for the recording and reproducing unit controls the switch S in the same manner hereinabove described. The mouthpiece l5 also supports the usual manually operable switch C for controlling the clutch mechanism H. In thisform of the invention, when the control element or lever H of the recording and reproducing unit is in a neutral or reproducing position the switch S is closed thereby, and the signal 5| included in the circuit. When the cover 23 of this manually operable switch C is depressed to throw the clutch mechanism into operation, the circuit is completed to the signal 5!. The current flows from its source through wire 56 to the element 51 of the switch C, which at that time is engaged by the auxiliary contact 58-to include the signal 5| and switch S in the circuit. The current then passes through wire 59 and back through the motor switch 52 to the source.

In Figure 10 I have illustrated another modified form of the invention wherein the signal 60 is included in the main circuit of the motor M for actuating the machine and is controlled by the switch S which is actuated by the control element or lever I I of the recording and reproducing unit. Obviously when this control element or lever H is in either a neutral or reproducing position the current flows through wire GI and switch S to the signal 60 and thence through wire 62 to return wire 63 through the motor switch 52 back to the source. In this form of the invention should the mouthpiece of the speaking tube be arranged upon its hook-like support 64 the circuit would be broken by opening of the switch of which the hook-like support forms a movable contact, so that the circuit to the signal would be broken irrespective of the position of the lever II.

In Figure 11 I have illustrated another form or" the invention wherein the signal 65 is included in the main circuit of the operating motor M of the machine, which also includes the switch S actuated by the control element or lever I l of the recording and reproducing unit. In this form of the invention, however, the signal is intermittently operated by a switch including a pair of contacts 66 and a cam-like member 6'! carried by one of the rotatable shafts of the machine, preferably the feed screw l3. Consequently when the switch S is closed by the lever H occupying either a neutral or reproducing position, the current flows from its source through the wire 68 and switch S to the signal 65 and thence through the wire 6!! to the make and break contact switch including the contacts 66 and cam-like member 67. In this form of the invention when the operator holds the mouthpiece directly in front of his face for use, the signal 65 will be intermittently flashed while the lever i i is in either a neutral or reproducing position, and of course during the continuous rotation of shaft [3. When the mouthpiece is arranged upon its hook-like support 10 forming part of the switch 52 of the motor, the circuit to the signal 65 will be broken, even though the machine is stopped with the cam-like member 61 in engagement with the contacts 66.

The invention provides a very positive and eiiicient signal for the purpose intended, and by reason of the location of the signal with respect to the mouthpiece of the speaking tube, it would be practically impossible for the operator to resume dictation with the recording and reproducing unit in either a neutral or reproducing position.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein illustrated or described and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim. as new is:

1. In a. machine of the character described, a rotatable record support, a motor for actuating said support, a recording and reproducing unit adapted to be arranged in a neutral, recording or reproducing position with respect to a record mounted on said support, control mechanism operable to eiTect the operative connection and disconnection of said motor and support, a signal, an electric circuit, means actuated by said unit when the latter is shifted to either a neutral or reproducing position to include said signal :in'the circuit, and means controlled by said control mechanism and rendered operable to complete .said circuit with said unit in either of thesai'd two positions and upon such operation of the control ,mechanism as effects operative connection of said motor and record support.

2. Ina machine of the character described, a rotatable record support, a motor for actuating said support, a recording and reproducing unit adapted to be arranged in a neutral, recording or reproducing position with respect'to a record .mounted on :said support, manually operable means for controlling the operative connection :and disconnection of saidimotor and support, a signal, an electric circuit, means actuated by is'aid unit whenwthe latter is shifted to either a neutral or reproducing position to include the signal in the circuit, and means directly actuated'by said manuallyoperable controlling means to complete the circuit to the signal with said unit ineither of the said two positions and upon such operation of the controlling means as effects operative connection of said motor and record support. Y

3. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable record support, a motor for actuating said support, a recording and reproducing unit adapted to be arranged in a neutral, recording or reproducing position with respect to a record .mounted on said support, said unit including a control element, a speaking tube having a mouthpiece,a signal supported thereby, an electric circuit, means actuated by said control element of saidunit to include the signal in the circuit when said unit is shifted to either a. neutral or repro ducing position, control means operable to effect the operative connection and disconnection of said motor and support, said control means including a manually operable device supported by said mouthpiece, and means actuated vby said control means to complete said circuit to the signal when said unit occupies either of the said two positions and upon such operation of the control means as effects operative connection of said .motor and record support.

4. In a m'achineof the character described, a recording and reproducing unit adapted to be arranged in a neutral, recording or reproducing position, a rotatable shaft, a signal, an electric circuit, means actuated to include the signal in said circuit when said unit is shifted to either a neutral or reproducing position, and means incident'to the rotation ofsaid shaft to complete the circuit to the signal with said unit in either of the said two'positions.

5. In a machine of the character described, a recording and reproducing unit adapted to be arranged in a neutral, recording or reproducing position, a signal; an'electric circuit, means actuated by said unit when the latter is shifted to either a neutral or reproducing position to include the signal in said circuit, a rotatable shaft, and means actuated by said shaft to intermittently close the circuit to said signal with said unit in either of the said two positions.

6.'In a machine of the character described, a rotatable record support, a motor for actuating :said support, a recording and reproducing unit adapted to bearranged in a plurality of predetermined positions includinga recording position, control mechanism operable to effect the operative connection and disconnection of said motor and support, :a signal, an..electric circuit, means 'actuatedby said unit when the latter is shifted from recording position to fanother'of such predetermined positions to include said signal in the circuit, and means actuatable by said control mechanism to complete. said circuit with said unit in said another of such predetermined positions and upon such operation of the control mechanism as effects operative connection of said motor and record support.

7. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable record support, a motor for actuating said support, a recording and reproducing unit adapted to bearranged in a neutral, recording, or reproducing position with respect to a record mounted on said support, control mechanism operable to effect the operative connection and disconnection of said motor and support, a signal, an electric circuit, means actuated by said unit when the latter is shifted to neutral position to include said signal in the circuit, and means actuatable by said control mechanism to complete said circuit with said unit in neutral position and upon such operation of the control mechanism as effects operative connection of said motor and record support.

8. Ina machine of the character described, a rotatable record support, a motor for actuating said support, a recording and reproducing unit adapted to be arranged in a neutral, recording or reproducing position with respect to a record mounted on said support, control mechanism operable to effect the operative connection and .disconnection of said motor and support, a signal, an electric circuit, means actuated by said unit when the latter is shifted to reproducing position to include said signal in the circuit, and means actuatable by said control mechanism to complete said circuit with said unit in reproducing position and upon such operation of the control mechanism as effects operative connection of said motor and record support.

. 9. In a machine of the character described, 'a recording and reproducing unit adapted to be arranged in a plurality of predetermined positions including a recording position, a rotatable device, a signal, an electric circuit, means actuated to include'the signal in said circuit when said unit is shifted to one of said predetermined positions other than the recording position, and means incident to the rotation of said device'to complete the circuit to the signal with said unit in the said one of such predetermined positions. 10. In a machine of the character described, a recording and reproducing unit adapted to be arranged in a plurality of predetermined positions including a recording position, a signal, an electric circuit, means actuated by said unit when the latter is shifted to one of said predetermined positions other than the recording position to include the signal in said circuit, movable means actuatable during operation of the machine, and means'associated with said circuit and operable incident to such actuation of said movable means, when said unit is in the said one of such predetermined positions, intermittently to complete and interrupt said circuit.

11. In a machine of the character described, a recording and reproducing unit adapted to be arranged in a neutral, recording or reproducing position, a signal, an electric circuit, means actuated by said unit when the latter is shifted to reproducing position to include the signal in said circuit, movable means actuatable during operation of the machine, and means associated with said circuit and operable incident to such actuation of said movable means, when said unit is in 2,ose,171 5 reproducing position, intermittently to complete cuit, movable means actuatable during operation and interrupt said circuit. of the machine, and means associated with said 12. In a machine of the character described, a circuit and operable incident to such actuation of recording and reproducing unit adapted tobe arsaid movable means, when said unit is in neutral ranged in a neutral, recording or reproducing position, intermittently to complete and inter- 5 position, a signal, an electric circuit, means acturupt said circuit. ated by said unit when the latter is shifted to FREDERICK L. FOX. neutral position to include the signal in said cir- 

